Last year, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon added another exciting mystery to the TWD universe when Carol radioed her friend Daryl, who was stranded in France, of an ominous return – before her message broke off. But who has returned? Was it Rick Grimes? Morgan? Or maybe Dwight? Now season 2 of the zombie spin-off finally provides an answer.
Warning, massive spoilers follow on the 2nd season of Daryl Dixon:
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 solves the Carol mystery
Let’s rewind briefly: In the Daryl series, The Walking Dead character from the very beginning, played by Norman Reedus, involuntarily ends up in France. In the 5th episode of season 1, he managed to make radio contact with Carol (Melissa McBride) in the USA for a brief moment. The connection was weak and a choppy “… is back” left Daryl and the audience wondering.
In the second season, Carol has now also made the long journey across the Atlantic to find Daryl. In the 4th episode there is finally a big and emotional reunion. Of course, it doesn’t take long for Daryl to demand a solution to the Returnee mystery.
Ever since the tearful finale of the spin-off series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, fans have been sure that Carol was actually referring to Rick Grimes, whose return after many years of absence would certainly be a good reason to give Daryl a quick one could move back home. But far from it. In the episode La Paradis Pour Toi, Carol clarifies that she wasn’t talking about a person… but a feeling.
This is how Carol describes the time of peace in the Commonwealth (after the end of The Walking Dead) and the peace that comes with it the bad memories and ghosts of the past brought back has. In season 2 of the Daryl series, this is primarily the trauma of the death of her daughter Sophia, which is now catching up with her again after years of fighting for survival.
Why the solution to The Walking Dead mystery disappoints
The fact that the great Carol mystery would have an unexpected resolution was already announced last year when Daryl showrunner David Zabel spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the future meaning of the radio message:
It’s important to her story going forward, and it’s important to what we think is going on in Carol’s world at this point. It is too not what the audience expects or anticipatesif it foresees something. Therefore, it will ultimately prove surprising.
The revelation of feelings was always surprising. And as much as it fits the current story of Carol’s character development and her quick willingness to escape into a new adventure, many fans will still be disappointed. And the reason for this is simple: the series itself has presented the mention of a mysterious return as a great mystery Solution of great importance to Daryl Dixon’s story would be.
Listen to the podcast about the new The Walking Dead series and Rick’s return:
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In addition, the final episodes of the series The Ones Who Live and Fear the Walking Dead brought several candidates into position, seemingly planned. For months, fans were certain that Rick Grimes’ return would be the driving force that would add tremendous urgency to Daryl’s European jaunt and make a reunion with his best friend the end goal.
With the final resolution, the Daryl Dixon series distances itself instead from a connection to the larger and overarching The Walking Dead narrative. It is questionable whether this will change in the remaining episodes of season 2. Because it will be quite a while before Daryl (and Carol) return to the USA.
When does The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon continue?
Fans will find out next Monday what other surprises Daryl and Carol’s adventure in France brings with it. Then the 5th episode of season 2 will be released in Germany on MagentaTV. The season finale can be seen a week later, on November 4, 2024.
The France chapter of The Walking Dead saga will end with Season 2 of the Daryl series. But after that it’s far from over. Filming for a third season of the spin-off is currently taking place – in Spain. What Daryl and Carol are looking for on the Iberian Peninsula? We’ll find out in 2025, or maybe in the upcoming season finale.